Actor Yul Vázquez fit the bill for Hispanic or generalized ethnic roles in Hollywood productions, but worked to some degree against the grain by seeking out some of the more atypical and offbeat assignments within this type. He debuted in the Arne Glimcher-directed period musical drama The Mambo Kings (1992) -- as a member of the 1950s band at the center of the story -- then followed it up with bit parts and supporting roles in big-screen productions including Fresh (1994), Nick of Time (1995), Bad Boys II (2003), and War of the Worlds (2005), as well as occasional guest appearances on such series programs as Seinfeld and Law & Order. In 2007, Vázquez joined the cast of Ridley Scott's period crime melodrama American Gangster, alongside Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe.
Yul Vazquez
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- Named for actor Yul Brynner.
- Mother was a stage actor in Miami and often had him play minor roles in her plays.
- Member of the defunct rock band Diving for Pearls; his film debut was playing a musician in 1992's The Mambo Kings.
- Cofounder of LAByrinth Theater Company; served as artistic director for the 2009-10 season.
- Sam Rockwell served as best man at his wedding.
- As part of LAByrinth, served as a producer on 2011's The Motherf**ker With the Hat, as well as playing the supporting role of Cousin Julio.